Mind Your Own Business

Chapter 1 Noah Arkonsen walked out the Government building where he worked. It was the end of another tedious day, watching screens and screens of figures. Tracking financial records of Government officials was not his idea of a worthwhile career but it was a job at least. But today was the day he was going to do it. Hang the consequences, life was too tedious! The sea of his patience had burst its banks. It was time to have a physical release! He pulled his hoodie over his head as it looked like it was about to rain. He walked along at a brisk pace but not so fast as to draw attention. He had decided for once in his humdrum co-operative existence to walk all the way home. It was about twenty blocks. Everyone these days caught either the tram or train home. It was the done thing as it showed that you had a positive attitude to your fellow citizens and supported public transport. Governments liked that, especially for Government employees. Public opinion would ruin you if you stepped out of line. Noah was taking a grave risk. His hoodie covered his gaunt face and jet black hair. He was thin, somewhat short, some would describe him as wiry. His full length coat also hid his features from view. He did not want Skycam tracking his movements today of all days. His one day of defiance! If one of those cameras identified him walking all the way home, it would appear, not only on his personal pages but the public ones as well. And when public opinion get a hold of such a radical action like this, his future was going to be grim. He knew was fooling himself. Skycam would capture his actions without any shadow of doubt. They were just that good! But he had resigned himself to make the attempt anyway. Anything to get out this rut! Getting labelled as a walker rather than a public traveller would not only incur the wrath of the general public but more particularly, his work colleagues. Government officials can be much more judgemental that normal employees. It's just their nature. If they found out (or when they find out) what he was doing, his life in his boring job would become a living hell or he may not have a job at all. The first few blocks were exhilarating. The overwhelming joy of doing something he has longed to do for years was such an emotional release. A few drops fell on his face. It was beginning to rain! He quickly moved over to a nearby newsstand and purchased a disposable umbrella. Walking in the rain was seen as outside normal behaviour but could draw unnecessary attention unless he was suitably covered. As the rain became heavier, it was like watching a formation dance team of thousands as everyone on the street stopped and put up an umbrella. The congestion suddenly became even worse as most umbrellas were of the old fashion type and took up much more space than just one person. Which was fortuitous for him in some ways. He could now walk all the way home and not worry about those ever present cameras in the sky tracking his movements. All they would observe is a sea of umbrellas, at least he convinced himself that would be the case even though he would be found out anyway. A quick double check on his device reassured him that his presence on the street was not being highlighted on the public pages yet, not even in his personal pages. Skycam and the Book were usually that quick in uploading such things. Thank goodness! So with hands in pockets, his umbrella attached to his back collar, he proceeded to walk all the way home. The pleasure of this was the most excitement he had had in years. He put the ever present sky cameras out of his mind and just enjoy every step of his walk. The euphoria of his physical activity sent his mind back to the days when his father used to tell him stories of when he was a boy. He did this often. Mainly to keep the memory of his father alive. It was back in the 2020s when they still had primitive forms of communications. Something called Skype where you had to both be at a terminal in order to communicate. The video that went with it, was like watching a person in slow motion. And of course surveillance was pretty much a manual exercise. So you could with effort, keep your life to yourself. They even had people who were able to choose not to be on-line. Today in the 2080s, that choice has long gone.